Iggy Pop receives Polar Music Prize

OHMYGOSSIP — Iggy Pop has been honoured with the Polar Music Prize.
The ‘Lust for Life’ hitmaker and the Ensemble intercontemporain were presented with the 2022 accolade by King Carl XVI Gustaf at a gala ceremony at The Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, on Tuesday (24.05.22), while songwriter Diane Warren was also handed the 2020 award after the ceremony was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each recipient of the prestigious honour receives prize money of one million Swedish Krona, the equivalent of more than $100,000.
Iggy said: “Recognition is a hard mistress…Ada Osterberg, a Swedish émigré to the US, adopted my father James…[Ada] was a Red Cross nurse…and raised my dad during the great depression… These were great people. Real people.
“I am neither great nor real. At this point, I am a myth. Happily, music is a form of myth.. All beauty derives from believing in myth. But every so often, you gottta get real…Like balls. That’s how I got here. So when you think about music, when you think about this prize, and if you remember me, think about the balls.”
Matthias Pintscher, musical director, and Olivier Leymarie, director general, accepted the honour on behalf of Ensemble intercontemporain, and admitted they felt “so honoured” to join the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Metallica in being chosen for the prize.
They said: “We would like to express our gratitude for receiving the Polar Music Prize and the recognition for our work and mission that comes with it. It is rare that a collective like ours is being awarded a prize of this highest prestige. It makes it extra special for us. We feel so honoured.
“To receive The Polar Music Prize, which has been awarded to some of the greatest musical icons, means to join a musical pantheon. The Ensemble is accepting this recognition with great joy, a recognition which is truly a reward, an honor that will encourage us to keep moving forward and continue to inspire other musical partners and creators all over the world.”
In her speech, Diane reflected on how “lucky” she is thanks to the opportunities her career have brought her.
She said: “I’ve always looked at my songs as a passport. They have taken me, a kid from Van Nuys, California with the crazy dream of becoming a songwriter, to many places I could only imagine going to – to the voices of some of the greatest singers on the planet, to the hearts of people I will never know all over the world that my songs have touched in some way and somehow have become a part of the soundtracks of their lives, to the Academy Awards, to so many places I only fantasised of going to. To this night, to this country, to this prestigious award. I can’t believe my name is now among those great artists who have also received this honour…
“This is what I still wake up every day and live to do. I never for a minute do not realize how lucky I am. That I can write a song to make someone feel good, feel seen, feel understood, feel less alone. How cool is that? Thank you for this award and for an amazing night I will never forget.”
Every year, the Polar Music prize honours two Laureates, one representing popular music and one classical. The honour was celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

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The Smile added to Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ APE date

OHMYGOSSIP — The Smile are set to join Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds at Luno presents All Points East 2022.
The rock band – comprising Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner – made their surprise live debut during the Glastonbury live-streamed event last year, and released their debut album, ‘A Light For Attracting Attention’, earlier this month.
And the supergroup have now joined the stellar bill for the festival show at London’s Victoria Park on August 28.
They join previously announced guests, including Michael Kiwanuka, Sleaford Mods, Aldous Harding, Anna Calvi, Japanese Breakfast, and Jehnny Beth.
Meanwhile, APE has teamed up with Ray-Ban to host a trio of intimate gigs in London.
The ‘Ray-Ban X APE present The Summer Sessions’ will kick off on May 26, with Sherelle headlining Colour Factory in Hackney Wick, London.
The DJ-and-producer will be joined by Nia Archives – who was crowned Best Producer at the BandLab NME Awards earlier this year – musician and visual/audio artist LCY and Foundation FM.
KOKO in Camden will play host to Kenny Beats and more on June 8, and Self Esteem is playing Earth at Dalston on July 14.
AEG Presents commented: “Ray-Ban has been a partner of Luno presents All Points East since its launch in 2018 and we’re really pleased to develop our relationship further with these intimate shows this summer. The festival is going to be a huge celebration of music and we’re delighted to have Ray-Ban partner with us again on the West Stage across both weekends.”
The concerts are also making an effort to be as environmentally-friendly as possible.
A press release notes: “Each night, BMW will be plugging into All Points East’s sustainability policies, with a fleet of all-electric BMW iX providing artist transportation, actively reducing each event’s carbon footprint.”
Nia and Self Esteem are already supporting Gorillaz when they play APE at London’s Victoria Park on August 19.
APE Presents: Field Day is back on August 20, with The Chemical Brothers and Kraftwerk co-headlining.
Tame Impala headline on August 25, The National on August 26, dance duo Disclosure on August 27, followed by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds on August 28.
Head to www.allpointseastfestival.com for tickets.

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Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa to release new collab this week

OHMYGOSSIP — Calvin Harris has reunited with Dua Lipa on a new collaboration out this Friday (27.05.22).
The pair last teamed up on 2018’s ‘One Kiss’, and the superstar DJ took to TikTok this week to share a clip of the new song, ‘Potion’, coming together and the ‘Levitating’ hitmaker agreeing to add her vocals to the track.
After sharing clips of him playing the keyboard, guitar, bass and back to the guitar, Calvin FaceTimed Dua and she responds “definitely” when asked if she’ll record her vocals on it.
A clip of the tune then plays with Dua singing: “Late night conversations, electric emotions / Sprinkled with a little bit of sex / and that’s a potion.”
It’s reported that Young Thug is also featured on the song.
Calvin is set to release ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol.2’, the follow-up to 2017’s Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1, so it’s likely ‘Potion’ will feature on that.
Teasing when fans can expect his upcoming sixth studio album, he tweeted last month: “Summer ’22.”
There’s currently no official release date.
Mega-hit ‘One Kiss’ spent eight weeks at number one on the Official UK Chart upon its release in April 2018.
Meanwhile, Calvin is said to be engaged to Radio 1 DJ Vick Hope.
The 38-year-old music star is said to have proposed to the 32-year-old broadcaster at his home in sunny Spain after just five months of dating.
A source said this week: “Calvin proposed to Vick under his favourite tree on his farm Terra Masia in Ibiza.
“Vick said yes immediately, she is madly in love with Calvin and could not be any happier.”
The Scottish star is next due to begin a summer residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza.
He will return to the famous super-club to play on Fridays from June 3 to September 2.

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Björn Ulvaeus insists there’ll be no more ABBA music

OHMYGOSSIP — Björn Ulvaeus insists ABBA are done releasing new music.
The ‘Dancing Queen’ hitmakers – also comprising Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson – reunited for their first album containing new music in four decades last year, ‘Voyage’, and despite its record-breaking success, Björn believes it will be the Eurovision-winning band’s final record.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column, the songwriter said when asked if ABBA will release new music: “When you do a thing like that, you don’t know how people will receive it. It was with such pride that we released that album.
“I don’t think there will be any more music with ABBA. I think that was definitely our last album.”
‘Voyage’ marked ABBA’s 10th number one album in the UK.
The Swedish group are in London to visit their new digital show featuring their ‘Abba-tars’ on May 27 at their purpose-built arena in Stratford, east London.
Even though the upcoming holographic show is “performed” by their avatars on stage, all four members of ABBA are expected to attend the premiere.
ABBA fanatics including Sir Elton John and Kylie Minogue are also expected at the ‘ABBA Voyage’ show.
The 90-minute set features pre-recorded classics mixed with the band’s new numbers such as ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’.
And Björn, 77, admitted it was “very emotional” seeing his younger digital likeness performing.
He said: “It’s very emotional at times. The life-size avatars that you see on stage together with the live musicians, you have to pinch yourself. Even I get the feeling that they really are there.
“There seems to be a common reaction of, ‘What the hell was that?!’ Jaws were dropping to the ground. This is layer on layer of music, emotion and illusion in a beautiful texture.”

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Ed Sheeran’s 2Step gets Denise Chalia remix treatment

OHMYGOSSIP — Ed Sheeran has released his latest ‘2Step’ remix by Irish-Zambian singer-songwriter Denise Chaila.
The ‘Bad Habits’ hitmaker is releasing a series of remixes of the track from his latest LP ‘=’ with artists from across the globe.
Grammy winner Ed, 31, working with rising talent Denise on the remix comes after she just supported him on the Irish leg of his ‘Mathematics Tour’.
She said: “I feel like I’m dreaming or sleepwalking. This is without question the biggest opportunity I’ve had in my career so far to grow my aspirations beyond the limits of my own expectations.
“Being asked to remix ‘2step’ was a dream, and being Ed’s support act was beautiful because mostly, it was him supporting me. Offering my voice to a song about pushing through difficulty to dance inside joy was, honestly, the perfect way to approach the immensity of what these opportunities mean to me.
“This has been affirming, emboldening, and beautiful and I hope what I managed to do here feels good, and right and does justice to Ed’s heart for this song.”
Earlier this month, the ‘Shape of You’ hitmaker released another remix of ‘2Step’ featuring Ukrainian band Antytila to raise funds for Music Saves UA.
Over the next 12 months, worldwide record royalties from YouTube streams of the official visualiser for the song and Warner Music’s proceeds from such streams, will be donated to the fundraising project created to provide immediate humanitarian help to Ukrainians caught up in the conflict.
After exchanging messages on social media, it was decided that Antytila – who became soldiers amid the war – would add their own poignant verse, a message of hope, in Ukrainian.
Ed filmed the official video for ‘2step’ featuring Lil Baby in Kyiv, Ukraine last year.
Meanwhile, Denise is set to play her biggest headline show to date at Limerick’s King John’s Castle on August 20.
Tickets are available now via www.ticketmaster.ie.

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Reunited boy band Blue keen to do a biopic

OHMYGOSSIP — Blue are keen to make a biopic.
The reunited noughties boy band – comprising Lee Ryan, Duncan James, Antony Costa and Simon Webbe – are gearing up to release their comeback album ‘Heart and Soul’ on September 9, which will be followed by the tour of the same name in December.
And the ‘Guilty’ hitmakers have revealed they’d love to make a movie like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ or ‘Rocketman’ and have even thought about who would play them.
Duncan, 43, told the Metro newspaper’s Guilty Pleasures column: “I’ve always wanted to make a Blue film.”
Simon Webbe, 44, said Chris Rock can play him, Antony, 40, would like to see Robert De Niro cast as him, but Lee, 38, wants to play himself.
He said: “I’d play myself, because people always come up to me and say I look like Lee Ryan!”
Blue have also had discussions about a jukebox musical.
Antony said: “I spoke to a few producers over the years, but it just hasn’t felt right.”
While referencing their 2004 hit ‘Bubblin”, he teased: “Watch this space, there might be something Bubblin’ – excuse the pun – in the background.”
Blue have just released their first song in seven years, ‘Haven’t Found You Yet’.
‘Heart and Soul’ can be pre-ordered now by visiting Blue.lnk.to/preorder and will be available on CD, Vinyl and Cassette, as well as on all digital platforms.
Get your tickets here https://Blue.lnk.to/ticketsnq.

Blue’s rescheduled 2022 UK tour dates:
Sunday 4th December – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Monday 5th December – Manchester AO Arena
Wednesday 7th December – Leeds First Direct Arena
Friday 9th December – Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Sunday 11th December – Liverpool M S Bank Arena
Monday 12th December – Brighton Centre
Tuesday 13th December – London The O2
Thursday 15th December – Bournemouth International Centre
Friday 16th December – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Sunday 18th December – Aberdeen P J Live
Monday 19th December – Glasgow OVO Hydro
Tuesday 20th December – Newcastle Utilita Arena

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Bob Dylan re-recording of Blowin’ in the Wind to sell for at least £600k at auction

OHMYGOSSIP — Bob Dylan’s new re-recording of ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is set to sell for at least £600,000 at auction.
The singer, 81, created the new version of his 1963 anthem for an upcoming sale by Christie’s in London.
It will be available on a unique Ionic Original format disc, and marks the first time in 60 years Dylan has re-recorded the song.
First written in 1962 and released on Dylan’s second studio album, ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan’, it will be auctioned in London on July 7.
It will go
The re-recording will go for an estimated bid between £600,000 and £1,000,000.
‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ will also mark the debut of the Ionic Original format, first announced in April by producer T Bone Burnett, 74.
Burnett said: “Sixty years after Bob first wrote and recorded ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, he is giving us a new recording of his song.
“One that is both deeply relevant for our times and resonant with decades of the artist’s life and experience. We’re grateful to Christie’s for their belief in the ‘Ionic Original’ and for presenting Bob’s masterful recording to the world in a unique and meaningful way.”
The Ionic Original format is, according to Burnett,”the pinnacle of recorded sound. It is archival quality. It is future-proof. It is one of one”.
‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is reportedly the first of multiple tracks that Bob Dylan is re-recording for the format.
Peter Klarnet, a senior specialist at Christie’s, said about the upcoming auction of the track: “Christie’s is excited to be offering this unique recording of Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, one of the most important songs written in the last century, on this groundbreaking new ‘Ionic Original’ format.
“I very much share T Bone Burnett’s passion for the sonic excellence of analog sound and it is fitting that this important development is being offered as a stand-out lot in ‘The Exceptional Sale’, London on 7 July 2022.”
It comes after Dylan sold his entire catalogue of 600 songs, including ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’, to ‘Universal Music’ in 2020 for a reported £225 million.
He will set off on a West Coast tour of the US on May 28 that will see him perform across North America until June 17.
Dylan also has a book on the way called ‘The Philosophy of Modern Song’.
In January, lawyers for the father-of-six formally denied allegations of child sexual abuse made against him in a lawsuit from an anonymous woman filed in August 2021.

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Anne-Marie and Calum Scott to collaborate?

OHMYGOSSIP — Anne-Marie and Calum Scott could be set to team up on a song.
The 31-year-old singer and the 33-year-old star are said to have “got on really well” when they spoke at the Prince’s Trust Awards at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Tuesday (24.05.22).
An onlooker told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “Anne-Marie and Calum got on really well. They’re fans of one another and were chatting about music for a while before the ceremony began.”
Anne-Marie previously teamed up with Little Mix on tune ‘Kiss My (Uh-Oh)’, and she admitted afterwards the group made the song sound “10 times better” than it did as a solo track.
She said: “I feel like so many people have been wanting that collaboration.
“We have actually been talking about it for so long, we sent each other a few songs every now and again, but they never felt quite right.
“Then I was doing the tracklisting for my album [‘Therapy’], ‘Kiss My (Uh-Oh)’ was originally a solo song but I thought they would sound so good on this so I sent it to Leigh-Anne and she said, ‘We love it, we are going to vocal it’, and made it sounds 10 times better.
“So now it’s a single thanks to them.”
Anne-Marie also heaped praise on the trio – Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jade Thirlwall – for their work on the music video, not least because Leigh-Anne and Perrie were both pregnant at the time.
She added: “Everyone shines and their ad-libs at the end are insane, they kill it.
“They are very powerful people. In the video they were pregnant, it was quite inspiring to see. I would just be at home eating pizza, so good for them going through it.”

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Noel Gallagher impersonated Bowie and Mick Jagger to pen new tunes

OHMYGOSSIP — Noel Gallagher impersonated David Bowie and Sir Mick Jagger to write his new tunes.
The former Oasis guitarist has revealed some of his new tracks sound “Bowieesque” and Stonesy so he imitated the music icons to get the tracks “out of him”.
The 54-year-old rocker is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper’s Wired column as saying: “To get the song out of myself, like on ‘Pretty Boy’, it’s like this sounds like Bowie.
“I’d sit up late at night doing the voice, ‘If this song sounds like David Bowie, then I’m going to sing it like David Bowie until I’ve written it’.”
The ‘Wonderwall’ hitmaker previously teased that ‘Pretty Boy’ “sounds just like” The Cure.
He said: “The stuff I’ve been working on is f****** great, really great.
“I’ve written a tune that sounds very much like The Cure, and I didn’t even have to dial back the copyright, it just sounds like The Cure. It’s called ‘Pretty Boy.’”
The songwriter admitted his latest tracks “are easily the best” High Flying Birds stuff he’s ever done.
He added: “I have to say the two tunes I’ve done over the last couple of weeks are easily the best of the High Flying Birds stuff I’ve done, one of them is just f****** ‘wow’, I even amaze myself sometimes.”
Noel has no time for Oasis fans who want him to release music that resembles the Britpop group.
He said: “If you commission Picasso to paint you a painting and he gives it to you, you’re not going to go: ‘Can you not do something else?’ It’s free expression.”
And the ‘Supersonic’ hitmaker admitted that even if he did want to reunite with Oasis – which he doesn’t, no thanks to a long-running feud with his estranged sibling, Liam, the band’s ex-frontman – he’s forgotten how to play some of their music.
He said: “I don’t really feel the need to go and do it again.
“On my last tour I went back to doing ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ electric, purely because I hadn’t played it for years, and I’d forgotten the f****** solo!
“And it takes ages to get the memory muscle in your fingers.”
Noel’s last High Flying Birds record was 2017’s ‘Who Built the Moon?’.

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Black Eyed Peas and more set for Atlantis Concert for Earth volcano gig

OHMYGOSSIP — Black Eyed Peas, Nicole Scherzinger and more are set to perform in a volcano for the inaugural Atlantis Concert for Earth.
On July 22 and July 23, performances will take place inside the ancient Sete Cidades Massif volcano in Azores, Portugal, which is a natural amphitheatre.
The aim is to raise awareness of the “incredible solution-driven work of leading conservationists and organisations from around the world” in a bid to “flip the current narrative of climate and conservation from blame, anger and doom to positivity.”
Atlantis Entertainment CEO and co-founder Nuno Bettencourt continued: “It’s time to stop telling everyone how we are all going to die, but instead show them how we’re all going to live.”
Pussycat Doll Nicole is set to host and put on a special performance.
Other performers include music legend Sting, who will perform virtually.
Pitbull, Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, Mod Sun and Girlfriends make up the rest of the lineup.
Will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas said: “Nature is the true headliner at the Atlantis Concert for the Earth.
“It is a surreal other-worldly experience to perform on the rim of an extinct volcanic crater to celebrate the Rockstars of Conservation while using music as a megaphone to call attention to the need for global conservation.”
Nicole commented: “I love Concert for Earth’s inclusive mission of finding balance with our planet and leaning into our passions and superpowers to inspire people to become Rockstars For Earth! The world is changed by our actions and not our opinions.”
Some of the organisations the two-day event will shine a light on include: Re:wild, Sea Legacy, Blue Azores and The Ocean Cleanup.
Wes Sechrest, chief scientist and CEO of Re:wild, added: “Biodiversity, from wildlife to ecosystems, underpins the existence of life on Earth.
“We are excited to be a part of Concert for Earth, a celebration of the symphony of life on our unique planet and an invitation to come together to protect and restore nature for the benefit of biodiversity, the climate, and all of us.”
Donations will be encouraged throughout, with 100 per cent of the money raised going to the non-profit organisations.
Those local to the Azores will be able to apply for in-person tickets.
Select performances will be live-streamed globally for free on Saturday, July 23 via Veeps.com or the Veeps app.

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Phoebe Bridgers and Sam Fender to support Rolling Stones at BST Hyde Park

OHMYGOSSIP — Phoebe Bridgers and Sam Fender are among the artists set to support The Rolling Stones at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park this summer.
Sir Mick Jagger and co are playing two nights at the London landmark on June 25 and July 3 as part of their 60th anniversary tour.
The first night they will be joined by Phoebe, The War On Drugs, Vista Kicks, JJ Rosa and Kelly McGrath.
And on the second night, Sam, Courtney Barnett, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, The Dinner Party and The Flints will play before the rock’n’roll legends.
The BST support acts being unveiled come days after it was announced that Echo and the Bunnymen will support the Stones in Liverpool next month.
The ‘Killing Moon’ band – comprising founding members Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant alongside touring musicians Jez Wing, Kelley Stoltz and Stephen Brannan – are set for a huge hometown show when they join the ‘Satisfaction’ legends at the city’s Anfield Stadium on June 9.
In a statement, Ian said: “Two dreams in one – there’s nothing like The Rolling Stones, and there’s nowhere like Anfield.
“I can’t explain how unbelievably happy and proud I am that my band Echo And The Bunnymen are going to be opening up for The Rolling Stones, THE Greatest Rock Roll band in the history of time, at Anfield, the Shrine of Life and football…
“The Rolling Stones!!! And at Anfield!!! I feel honoured and blessed… Thank you God.”
The ‘Paint it Black’ rockers said they were delighted to be having the Bunnymen on the bill for the concert.
They added: “It’s great to have Echo And The Bunnymen join us as special guests in their home city.
“We can’t wait to be back on stage in Liverpool! Roll on the summer!”
Meanwhile, frontman Mick recently admitted he has to “learn languages like a parrot” when the band are on international tours.
The 78-year-old music legend said: “Usually at the [international] concerts I do the languages. But I have to learn them like a parrot!”
He explained that while he struggles with German, he finds Spanish “much easier” and is good with French after spending so much time there.
Head to www.rollingstones.com for remaining tickets for the band’s ‘SIXTY Tour’.

The Rolling Stones’ ‘SIXTY Tour’ dates 2022:
June
1 – Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
5 – Olympic Stadium, Munich, Germany
9 – Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
13 – Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
17 – Wankdorf Stadium, Bern, Switzerland
21 – San Siro Stadium, Mulan, Italy
25 – American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, London

July
3 – American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, London
11 – King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
15 – Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna, Austria
19 – Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France
23 – Hippodrome Parislongchamp, Paris, France
27 – Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
31 – Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden

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Sky Ferreira releases first solo single in 3 years

OHMYGOSSIP — Sky Ferreira has released her first song in three years, ‘Don’t Forget’.
After teasing fans for a few months, the 29-year-old actress-and-singer has finally made her comeback with her first solo music since 2019.
The follow-up to ‘Downhill Lullaby’ is a synth-heavy 80s’ pop anthem.
It’s anticipated to feature on the much-delayed ‘Masochism’ album, the follow-up to 2013’s ‘Night Time, My Time’.
Sky admits she has felt “very stifled for a long time”, but doesn’t necessarily want her whole record to be about her being a “victim”.
In an interview with Vulture, she said: “I felt very stifled for a long time, and I still do. It’s not that I wanted to burn people’s houses on fire or something; it is a little more symbolic. It’s about being put in these situations for a long time. It’s a bit of freeing myself, but not in the most conventional way. Because I don’t feel free, necessarily.”
Without going into any further details, she added: “I’m not trying to throw everyone under the bus yet. Because that’s the thing: How do I say what I’ve been going through without having to become a victim to it or it becoming some narrative? Then my whole record becomes that. In my mind it’s like, ‘You don’t get to do that to me.’”
The album, which was originally intended for release in 2015, has been pushed back numerous times.
However, Sky has promised fans it will be out this year.
Although it’s her first solo music in a while, Sky has appeared on tracks with Charli XCX, Primal Scream and Beck.
The movie star has also appeared in many films, including ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘The Trust’.

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The White House’s secret record collection unearthed

OHMYGOSSIP — The White House has a secret record collection containing LPs by The Sex Pistols and Barry Manilow.
The grandson of the 39th president of the United States Jimmy Carter, John Chuldenko, has confirmed the existence the 97-year-old Democrat’s extensive vinyl collection from the year he got into power in 1977.
There are more than 1,800 records, including the controversial punk record ‘Never Mind the B******* s, Here’s the Sex Pistols’, which came out the same year Carter became president.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, John said: “That started me down this rabbit hole.”
Upon contacting the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library he received an email reading: “Dear John: Yes, we do have a record collection stored at a secure offsite facility.”
Records by The Beatles and Sir Elton John were also stashed away.
The collection hasn’t been touched since 1977.
Carter isn’t the only former president who is a music fanatic.
Barack Obama – who served as the 44th president of the United States between 2009 and 2017 – still to this day releases playlists of his favourite artists.
In 2021, the 60-year-old politician revealed the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce and The Beatles feature on his shower playlist.
Speaking on an episode of the ‘Renegades: Born in the USA’ Spotify Original Podcast, Obama told his co-host Springsteen: “I sing in the shower, I sing out of the shower.
“I am unembarrassed about singing … My daughters and my wife sometimes roll their eyes.”
Nine songs by The Boss made the cut, including ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ – both the studio version and a live take recorded at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York – ‘My Father’s House’, ‘Born To Run’ and ‘My Hometown’.
The Fab Four also featured with ‘Come Together’ alongside Elvis Presley (‘All Shook Up’), Joni Mitchell (‘Help Me’), Sam Cooke (‘A Change Is Gonna Come’) and Public Enemy (‘Harder Than You Think’).
Beyonce’s ‘Freedom’ and Kendrick Lamar’s ‘King Kunta’ were also featured in the list.

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Mark Owen releases first solo single in almost a decade

OHMYGOSSIP — Mark Owen has released his first solo single in almost a decade from his upcoming album, ‘Land of Dreams’.
The Take That star, 50, is back with a brand new tune in the undeniably catchy ‘You Only Want Me’, which marks his first new music since his 2013 LP ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’.
The full record is set to follow on September 23.
In support of the album, the Mancunian is set to embark on a mini UK tour in October, and has a number of festival appearances lined up this summer, including The Isle of Wight Festival and Latitude.
The UK tour kicks off on October 16 at Bristol’s O2 Academy, before heading to Manchester and Glasgow, and wrapping at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on October 20.
A fan-presale for the shows will take place from 9am on May 25 by pre-ordering ‘Land Of Dreams’.
Take That have been on a break from the ‘Greatest Day’ hitmakers since 2019 as they work on their own projects.
During Take That’s break, Gary Barlow has dropped two albums, and Howard Donald has kept on working as a DJ, while Mark has been relatively quiet.
In November last year, Gary suggested the ‘Shine’ band are hoping to reunite next year as he looks to “get back to [his] day job”.
He explained “It’s been a while since 2019. I’m ready to get back to my day job now. That’s my thing – being in the group.
“We’ll have a nice planning year in 2022. I don’t think we’ll release anything or tour but the following year, 2023, will be a big year for Take That.”
Meanwhile, the trio reunited at Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday (18.05.22) for a photocall to promote their upcoming film, ‘Greatest Days’, based on their hit musical ‘The Band’.

The ‘Land of Dreams’ UK tour dates:
16th October Bristol O2 Academy
17th October Manchester O2 Ritz
18th October Glasgow Fruitmarket
20th October London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

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Lizzo lands HBO Max doc about her rise to superstardom

OHMYGOSSIP — Lizzo is set to be the subject of a new documentary about her rise to superstardom.
The ‘About Damn Time’ hitmaker’s currently untitled film for HBO Max will be helmed by Doug Pray, who was heavily involved in the Grammy-winning four-part HBO docu-series ‘The Defiant Ones’ about Dre. Dre and Jimmy Iovine’s rise to the top.
Lizzo’s film will tell “the inspirational story behind her humble beginnings to her meteoric rise with an intimate look into the moments that shaped her hard-earned rise to fame, success, love, and international stardom.”
The ‘Juice’ hitmaker hopes to inspire aspiring creatives to stick with their dreams by sharing how she powered through the ups and downs on the road to becoming a global superstar.
The 34-year-old musician said: “Growing up I never dreamed I’d get to experience all of the things I’ve accomplished in my life, and I’m just getting started.
“From ‘Cuz I Love You’ to my dramatic world tour, losing and gaining love, and creating my new album ‘Special’, y’all get to see the amount of time, patience, blood, sweat and tears that went into this process. It takes ten years to become an ‘overnight success,’ and hopefully I can inspire other young creatives to keep going.”
The classically-trained flautist recently confessed to being worthy of the “attention” she has garnered throughout her career as she has earned it.
She said: “I deserve the spotlight. I deserve the attention. I’m talented, I’m young, I’m hot, you know? And I’ve worked hard.”
Lizzo – whose real name is Melissa Jefferson – believed she had to “blaze a trail” for herself as there was no one like her on the music scene.
She said: “I had to blaze a trail. There was no Lizzo before Lizzo.”
Ahead of the film’s release later this year, Lizzo will release her new album ‘Special’ on July 15.

Source: IconInsider.com

New Order’s Bernard Sumner slams ‘ludicrous’ NHS mental health waiting times

OHMYGOSSIP — New Order’s Bernard Sumner has slammed the “ludicrous” waiting times for mental health help on the NHS.
The 66-year-old musician spoke as part of a suicide prevention panel at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, on Wednesday (18.05.22), 42 years to the day his late Joy Division bandmate Ian Curtis took his own life aged 23 in 1980.
Bernard – who continued to perform under the new name New Order with Joy Division bandmates Peter Hook and Stephen Morris following Ian’s death – shared the heartbreaking story of a friend’s daughter, who died from suicide after being told she would face an 18-month wait to receive any help from the NHS.
He said during the session: “You can’t go on a waiting list if you are thinking of killing yourself. It’s ludicrous.
“You can’t wait 18 months. You need help straight away.”
Bernard went on to describe Ian as a “happy-go-lucky guy”, whose “personality changed” when he was taking barbiturates – a drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant – which can become addictive.
He said of Ian: “You look at old photographs of Ian from that period and a lot of photographs are of him with his head in his hands in rehearsal rooms.
“He wasn’t really like that. The photographs that are like that were taken in the two weeks before he died. The rest of the time – most of the rest of the time – he was fine.
“But it was the barbiturates that changed his personality. He also had relationship problems… and I think maybe because of the barbiturates they were emphasised.
“I think he felt very guilty about his relationship problems. I think maybe he took his own life because of the guilt he felt. He wanted to punish himself – but (it was) accentuated by these barbiturates.”
Bernard’s bandmate Stephen, 64, was also in attendance and urged those struggling to speak to someone.
He added: “I think the problem with Ian and with depression and anything like that – you get yourself in a certain situation where you are boxing yourself in and you don’t know who you can talk to.”
The session took place amid Mental Health Awareness Week.

Source: IconInsider.com